Short Term Disability Claim Specialist

About the Role

MetLife’s Global Customer Service and Operations team focuses on customer care that is rooted in empathy, trust, and ongoing improvement. In this position, you will own short term disability claims from end to end, make claim decisions, and help guide claimants toward a safe and appropriate return to work when possible.

The role involves interpreting contract provisions, coordinating with claimants and specialist resources, and managing assigned claims efficiently while maintaining a high standard of service and communication.

What You’ll Do

• Interpret the disability contract carefully and apply the correct provisions so MetLife’s responsibility is assessed accurately throughout the claim lifecycle.
• Support and encourage return-to-work outcomes using suitable programs and methods whenever the contract allows.
• Stay in regular contact with claimants, explain expectations clearly, and identify both medical and non-medical barriers that could affect return to work.
• Keep claimants informed about claim progress and set expectations when other support teams or resources may reach out.
• Work with the claimant, specialty teams, and experienced colleagues to build a clear claim plan suited to the claimant’s situation, functional ability, and likely recovery path.
• Share updates with partners when key claim events are being considered or have taken place, such as closure or return to work.
• Handle an assigned portfolio of claims by setting priorities, using resources effectively, and issuing timely, accurate decisions.
• Manage individual action plans, serve as the main contact for the claimant, and complete claim determinations.
• Deliver a consistently strong service experience through follow-through, prompt callbacks, and clear communication.

Required Qualifications

• You must be able to live within a reasonable commuting distance of one of the listed site locations.
• Eligible site locations include Oriskany, NY; Bloomfield, CT; Tampa, FL; and Cary, NC.
• A high school diploma or GED is required.
• You should have a solid understanding of disability contract terms, especially how disability is defined.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills are needed, including the ability to coach Case Specialists on interviewing claimants effectively and gathering the right information.
• You need strong critical thinking, strategic thinking, and prioritization abilities.
• You should be able to give and receive feedback using measurable observations and open to coaching.

Preferred Qualifications

• An associate degree is preferred.
• At least 1 year of claims management experience is preferred, ideally in healthcare.
• Comfort using Microsoft Word and Excel is preferred.

Compensation and Benefits

The expected annual salary for this role is $40,000 to $52,000. The position may also qualify for annual short-term incentive pay and stock-based long-term incentives, subject to the applicable plan terms.

MetLife offers a broad U.S. benefits package covering physical and mental wellness, financial wellbeing, and family support. Benefits include medical, prescription drug, and vision coverage; dental insurance; no-cost short- and long-term disability; company-paid life insurance and legal services; a retirement pension fully funded by MetLife; a 401(k) with employer match; discounts on voluntary products such as auto, home, pet, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and accident insurance; an Employee Assistance Program; digital mental health support; parental leave; volunteer time off; tuition assistance; and more.

About MetLife

MetLife is recognized among Fortune magazine’s most admired workplaces and is a global financial services company offering insurance, annuities, employee benefits, and asset management to individual and institutional customers. With operations in more than 40 markets, the company serves clients across the United States, Latin America, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.

MetLife says its purpose is to help colleagues, customers, communities, and the wider world build a more confident future, guided by values centered on teamwork, integrity, impact, and forward thinking.

Equal Opportunity and Workplace Policies

MetLife is an equal opportunity employer and states that employment decisions are made without regard to protected characteristics such as race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, marital or civil partnership status, genetic information, citizenship status, military or veteran status, or other legally protected traits. Applicants and employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

If you need a disability accommodation during the application process, MetLife asks that you email accommodations@metlife.com. The company also maintains a drug-free workplace.

In Massachusetts, it is unlawful to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment, and violations may result in criminal and civil penalties.